Allexer Namundjembo
The Ministry of Urban and Rural Development has extended the borders of Okakarara to include five surrounding farms.
According to a government notice, the expansion brings Farms Sohlangen No. 965, Teutoburg No. 458, Otjahewita No. 291, Panorama No. 967, and Portion 1 of Farm 968 under the jurisdiction of the Okakarara local authority.
All the farms fall within the Otjozondjupa Region.
The ministry said the move empowers the town to improve spatial planning and service delivery in line with national development priorities.
“By incorporating these additional areas, the government aims to provide Okakarara with the capacity to better manage spatial planning, infrastructure, and essential services in response to projected growth and socio-economic development needs,” the document reads.
Cadastral diagrams of the expanded boundaries have been made available for public inspection at the Office of the Surveyor-General in Windhoek.
The ministry said this step ensures transparency and access to land information for residents, developers, and stakeholders.
No specific development plans have been announced for the new areas, but the boundary extension aligns with the national land reform agenda and urbanisation strategy.
The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to structured urban growth through land policy reforms and planning.
“The Ministry of Urban and Rural Development reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the growth of towns like Okakarara through structured planning and timely administrative reforms,” said the ministry.
Okakarara’s mayor, Asnath Jazukuka, welcomed the development, saying the land extension comes at a time when the town is grappling with housing shortages, land degradation, and population growth.
“This is a determined step toward addressing the longstanding housing challenges faced by generational farmworkers and their descendants,” she said.
Jazukuka noted that many people who spent their lives working on commercial farms are left landless upon retirement or eviction.
She said the boundary extension offers an opportunity for these communities to secure resettlement land.
“This initiative aligns with the broader objectives of Namibia’s land reform policies, which aim to correct historical injustices and promote fair and equitable land distribution,” Jazukuka added.
The mayor added that transparency in land allocation is key to ensuring that those most affected by past injustices benefit from the new land.
“This effort must go beyond mere land provision. It should also ensure the development of essential infrastructure and access to vital services so that beneficiaries can build dignified and sustainable lives,” Jazukuka added.
